Your say: Councilman tells troublemaker: 'Go to jail or the cemetery'`
Was it tough love? Or did a letter written by a Cleveland Councilman cross the line?
There is a lot of controversy surrounding a letter Councilman Michael Polensek sent a young man with a lengthy criminal history.
Read the letter | Read our story
What do you think?
There is a lot of controversy surrounding a letter Councilman Michael Polensek sent a young man with a lengthy criminal history.
Read the letter | Read our story
What do you think?
posted by Dan at
9:36 AM
54 Comments:
Romona,
I am in total agreement with Councilman Polensek's letter. I can understand his frustration. He is one of the good guys who is trying to make his district a very safe and nice place to live. The North Collingwood area is really falling down fast due to the teenage gangs running the neighborhood. Several homes are broken into every week. Teenagers hang out on the corners and intimidate the older people who live there. Working mothers come home to broken windows and missing jewelry, electronics, even copper plumbing...it is really scary to live there.
I don't think it is a black/white issue...it is really a poor home training issue. Teens raising teens and an absence of authentic male role models. Cleveland and East Cleveland are the poorest of the poor because they not only have to deal with poverty of possessions and viable jobs, but they have a poverty of spirit. These young people have abandoned the values passed on by their grandparents.
In this case Arsenio's mother should agreed with Mr. Polensek. If she doesn't stop enabling her son he probably will end up another life wasted. It's too bad that we can't be honest with each other about the problem so that we could find enough common ground to create some solutions for it.
Sincerely,
Charla
East Cleveland
I agree with the Councilman Polensek. It is about time we started demonstrating more tough love with our youth. At least the councilman cared enough to send him a letter. Every thing is not racist. It is what it is.
The young man's mother should have told him the same thing while he was growing up – becoming a "man". I am sure she was well aware of his illegal activities and yet she allowed him to continue living in her home. My nephew is in prison and our family basically told him the same thing including the fact that we would turn him in, if we became aware of any illegal activity. We all have choices in this life. It appears that my nephew and this young man chose the path that will lead in only 2 directions - incarceration or death. The truth hurts. Prison is filled with many people that chose what they thought was the easy, fast way to live. Productive members of society they are not.
S.
I am in total agreement with Councilman Polensek's letter. It's not a race issue, it's a lack of parenting issue. If that leads back to predominately one race or another - so be it. If you don't like the truth he told in his letter - prove him wrong! Go to school, stay out of trouble and quit robbing those that actually are law abiding hard working citizens!
I agree 1000% with Polensek. Funny how this thug's mother couldnt be bothered to properly raise and discipline her son so that he became a productive citizen, gbut when she thinks she might win some money in a lawsuit, she all of a sudden makes sure her face is plastered all over the news. This kid never had a chance with a parent like that.
Mike Polensek should be applauded for not putting up with this type of behavior in his ward and for not being afraid of these young punks, the way so many others are. His constituents should stand behind him all the way. Or else, the could elect someone to represent them who doesnt give a damn, and watch their ward degenerate into a place much worse than it is now.
I think that the letter was very inappropriate. If you want to address someone and you are a Councilman you need to do it in a professional way. Of course the drug dealings are not something people should do and it is up to him as councilman to address it but not the way he did. We all want the drug dealers and threats to our community gone but it should be a better way to address people. The councilman was totally out of line with that letter and it wasn't tough love at all. You get tough love like that from a mother or father not your councilman that should be willing to help you in a positive way not act as ignorant as the person doing wrong. Yes I think the councilman was out of line and the boy’s mom should do whatever she can to get him out of office or have someone explain to him how to be professional. If that was my son I would've told him what the council man said too and I feel that’s not the councilman’s place to talk to someone else’s child like that. I see why the young men don't respect him because he don't respect them.
T.C. Age 19
East Cleveland, Ohio
Amen to Councilman Polensek!!!!
Mike polensek is a white racist.
This is not the first comment
he has made.If someone said that to
him he would have them arrested.
He needs to get unseated so some
else can do a better job.If he is
doing such a good job why does, his
ward look like that. He is a white
racist who collects, our tax money.
Enough of the race issue! Everyone is free! councilman Polensek is correct and just telling him like it is...Who wants drugs in their neighborhood.
congrats to councilman Polensek!
i agree with the councilman he simply said what alot of the council members want to say but are to afraid because it may cause them votes. evil prevail when citizen and public leaders do nothing. bravo to councilman Polensek. That punks mother obiously is benefiting from her sons thug lifestyle how could she possibly defend his character, crack guts families and communities. the councilman is a citizen first and public servant second. Keep up the good work in your district sir.
N. Riddle
Georgia
I totally agree with the councilman, the letter was not in any way racist nor was it too tough. The guy wants this tough image as a gangbanger/drugdealer, so why can't he handle the tough words of someone who doesn't want this type of scum in his neighborhood? There should be more councilmen stepping up and calling out that type of trash. For instance look at the shootings since the fourth of July. We need more tough love here, we need more men standing up and saying this is our city, this is where our families are, straighten up or get out. The mother of the criminal was way out of line to say that the councilman was using veiled racial threats.
Considering how the young man treated him, he is showing some empathy towards him, why waste his time if he didn't care about the kid?
All of us need to step up and take action because as of right now our childrens future doesn't look too bright.
I salute you Councilman Polensek!
Ok then, he was dumber thn a box of rocks - which can also be black. Racism, for crying out loud knock it of - the kids a goof.
I'm sick and tired of the "race card" being played everytime something like this comes up. If you're a "lowlife" then you should be treated like a "lowlife". Kudos to the Councilman for the letter. It's a damn good thing I did'nt send the letter. Everytime something like this happens, the blacks ( excuse me, African Americans) start crying racist and begin seeing dollar signs . I'm gonna sue somebody , boo hoo.. Wake up, smell the roses, admit what you are ("lowlifes") and move on. Stop wasting peoples time. Tired of it. Bravo Councilman, Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!! " Grizzly", Little Italy, Cleveland, Ohio
I understand the concilman's frustration and anger. I want to believe that he meant this as a wake up call. Maybe if he had said something like:
"Get help or you'll end up in jail or worse yet, the cemetary" it would have been less likely to have been taken out of context. It's unfortunate that race has to become the issue, because it's really not the problem. It's simply that the young man who's upsetting the neighborhood just happens to be black. All people regardless of race deserve respect, however they need to earn it, and no one with any sense is going to respect any individual who is selfish, thoughtless, and has no regard for the feelings of their fellow human being. Stealing, selling drugs, threatening, and intimidation is NOT a way to earn trust, but instead a path to a life of eventual misery. Whether or not this young man realizes, his actions will inevitably catch up with him. It's the same story over and over again, all across this country.
It's time we take charge and figure out a way to help these indivduals, before it's too late...
It's about time people speak bluntly about the issues and people destroying our city. We all need to take a more active role to regain pride and respect for ourselves and our communities. Thank you to Councilman Polensek for getting us started.
Jen
Cleveland Heights
WOW!!! I wish more people would be as blunt and straightforward as Mr. Polensek. We need to take back this great city we call Cleveland. We need to take a stand and rid our city of the drug dealers, muggers, thieves and the like! Mr. Polensek is the type of person we need as Mayor of Cleveland. Someone who is strong and willing to do what he has to do to rid our city of the "thugs". KUDOS, Mr. Polensek. I only wish we had more members of Council throughout the city and the surrounding suburbs like you!!!
While I understand the councilman's frustration and his duty to try and do something, lowering himself to the level of name calling and profanity should not be accepted. As a leader of the community, he should act with at least some professionalism. What does he hope to achieve with the letter? Does he really think that such a negative and unrespectful email will make Arsenio change his ways? What is needed is serious jail time and counselling before he changes his way, but not the letter that was sent.
This is not a black/white issue. It seems everybody is looking for a quick buck. This boy probably helps his mother with his ill-gotten gains and she is looking for a quick "lets be rich" payout. While I may not agree the words used, the councilman is speaking the truth - that boy can "go to jail or the cemetery" unless he cleans up his act and becomes a productive member of society. Too many young people feel they are owed a good life. They look up to thugs like Michael Vick, Pacman Jones and others who have lots of money and really haven't done anything to earn it. I used to live in Northeast Ohio and have since moved South. Just to give the good mother a lesson, not all mud is dark. Here in the south we have red mud, pink mud, a gray mud and a white mud - depending on where you live. It is called earth and if people would learn to live together and stop using the almighty "I am black and you just insulted me card" maybe we could all just get along. By the way, Mr I am selling drugs on the corner, the next time you are caught doing a criminal act, I hope they throw the book at you and don't let you out for a long time.
It may have not been the best choice of words for the liberal media and the special interest groups but the message was 100% right and warranted. As for all who claim Mr. Polensek is a racist you must not remeber a few years back when we was taking on the white bikers and bar owners on E 185th. He may be a little over the top but he is accurate when he says the neighborhood has turned I have been here 15 years and feel as of late my safety is lacking
I was in total agreement with the councilman until I saw that he cc'd the Plain Dealer. It was nothing more than a publicity stunt.
Well .. true to form, folks are just itching to play the "race card".
I have no problem with the letter .. at least there's ONE person in Cleveland's government that wants to do something about these thugs.
I agree with Councilman Polensek's however I do not agree with the amount of profanity that was used. Obviously this young man has very little regard as to the direction he is taking his life or how his actions affect his family. This young man is a repeat offender so the mother is partly to blame because she is aware of his drug activity and has done nothing or not enough to get this young man on the right path. I do not believe this has anything to do with whether this young man is black or white it has everything to do with his disregard for the law and authority.
Question for the mother. If Councilman Polensek's was a black man, would you still be playing the race card?
Why is it every time there is a conflict between a white person and a black person it becomes a racist issue?
As a nation I believe, general census is we are sick of the race card being played every time things do not go the way you want them to. Where’s your pride, where is your belief that your better than the guy down the street thinks you are?
Arsenio brought this on himself Councilman Polensek did not place Arsenio on that corner selling drugs, Arsenio placed himself there with full knowledge that what he was doing was illegal.
I believe your life is what "YOU" make it good or bad it is your choice.
I agree with Councilman Polensek's letter. I don't care if you are black, white or purple. We all know drug dealing leads to many deaths, abuse, etc. It's ok that this kid "won't shake the white man hands" and that's ok. But say anything that can be twisted and well different story. This kid is a loser. Kids are influenced by the activities around him. Of course his mom will sue, not like she has been doing a great job raising her son. How about lead by example? You can not enable your son that its ok. Obviously the juvenile system is doing no job because there is no real penalty to such arrests. As an adult, he can serve time. It is true on the funeral home comment. Get involved in gangs or drugs and you have a good chance to be in the graveyard. Do something about it!! Turn your life around.
I am more than happy to pay extra taxes to keep slim off the streets. In case anyone notices that no one wants to live in Cleveland let alone businesses are leaving. Take back your community and set accountablity. Granted you can be a great parent and kids can still do their own thing but when the kid is wrong, he's wrong.
When this kid finally pulls a gun and kills someone from his drug induced whatever, then we will have him rationalizing why he did it. Tough life, arrest, blah, blah, blah! I am reelecting this guy!
I agree with the councilman, and I also think the mother is attempting to gain financially from this. . They want to sue the police for excessive force they want everyone to be accountable and pay for their implied misdeeds. But just as in this situation she is not being accountable for this terrorist she call a child. Unfortunately, parents of children like this see them as they were when they were toddlers; they don’t pose a threat to their parents, they’re harmless. They watch the news and comment about the heinous crimes that take place and pray they never have to experience such cruelty by others, but they never imagine that their children are doing the same things to others. Watch the news when someone gets killed, they portray them as an innocent good kid and act as if they knew nothing of their lifestyle Here is a test to determine if your child is a thug. If your child is not working or occupied with constructive activities, he is either robbing your neighbors or selling crack on the corner. If your child is not attending school, he is probably robbing your neighbors or selling crack. If none of your child’s friends work or are occupied with constructive activities or going to school THEY are robbing your neighbors and selling crack, then they are a gang. Gangs are formed when people share the same values and beliefs, so it’s unlikely she believes her son is the treasurer, or secretary. If she can’t control her son then ask for help, but she is wasting valuable time and resources chastising the councilman.
Praise God for someone who isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in. We all need to start accepting that responsibility and step up to the plate. This is not a racist issue but of course it is being made into one. The facts speak for themself. If I had not read the article before I read the letter I would not even know the kid was black. That is not mentioned in the letter. These kids today are going to ruin this country because parents are not doing their job. This councilman needs to run for president. Maybe things would change in our country and people would take responsibility for what they do and quit blaming everyone else and everything else. Everyone is responsible for the choices they make. You can't blame your momma, daddy, grandparents, another race, etc. You can be whatever you want to be in America. No one is holding you back but YOU!!!!!!
The tact used may not be the best, but the letter is not racist. As an outsider and not knowing the personalities involved, only an assumption can be made as to the race of the recipient and/or the councilman. Stop making excuses and hold those wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
Polensek Rocks, if Cleveland gets more leadership like him I may move back into the city. I miss the old North Collinwood area
Congrats to the Councilman. When are people going to see that this is not a race issue. This is a moral sex issue. What happened to not pro-creating until you are married.
If I hear that these kids need a strong male role model one more time I'm going to be sick. They need a father, not the sperm donor, or week end warrior father. A house with a mother and father who monitor their activities. A home where the child is afraid of consequences for wrong doings. Further more, the poor are poor because of life choices of having babies when they are not married, and do not have jobs, not because they are black.
Oh, sorry for the black comment, I mean African American. How do I know a person of color is African?
Can their ethnic background be from
other regions where dark skin is dominant?
signed,
Not White -- "European American"
I totally agree w/the Counselman. Raccial? That's crap. If the mother is defending the boy or/the man, then we know why he so stupid. Because his mother has no brains either. You make your own bed in this world, and this loser's bed is in jail or even more rest, in the ground. Sincereyl, Jeff Litwiler, Conneaut, Oh.
It is unreal how because the councilman is white it is a "racist" comment. The fact re mains that black or white the young man engaged in illegal activity got caught and is now looking for someone to blame. If there is nothing wrong with what they are doing than they shouldn't have take it as a threat. It all boils down to the fact that the young man is too lazy to get a real job. There are jobs out there, they may not be the best but a least you contributing to society instead of looking to make a dollar off the color of you skin.
Mike Polensek for mayor!
I think his intent was good but his wording was unprofessional and over the top. Also he could have used "dumber that a door nob." That's what we use to say and door nobs can be any shape, size, or color. I'm sure we'll see lots of comments defending the drug dealer just like we saw defending that poor young boy who got shot trying to rob the man on his own porch. At least in this case we'll know more of the background of the delinquent in question.
I want more council members to take a stand just like Mike did and then maybe these thugs and their parents will start to get the message..Clean up your act and take responsibility for your actions....
It's not racist, it's an accurate summary of the disaster that this man's life is. Whose fault is it?? Listen to Mom and you realize not all the blame lies with the son. It needed to be said and Polensek said it well!
Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. He can use this to try to turn his life around, but I suspect As Councilman Polensed said, he will end up in prison or dead.
Hey Akron - wake up, this applies here too!!!
Frankly Speaking in Akron
I wish Councilman Polensek would move to Oregon and show our legislators a real man with a real pair. I dislike Democrats with a passion, but this one would have my vote.
What? Slow news day?
Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a day when men would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, this young man is being judged by his lack character!
Bravo councilman Polensek
I hate drugs and drug dealers. This man seems to be on a bad path but that's not my place to judge or write letters. That's why we pay taxes for the police.
This councilman needs to speak to police in his neighborhood about these issues and let them do their job. If he's unhappy with the crime in his district he needs to find out how the police can correct it, not by writing letters to people. What is he, the high school principal?
For everyone who thinks this is such a stand up thing why don't you move to his turf or urge him/donate to a campaign for him to run for mayor? Or start a grassroots community group to clean up this neighborhood. Put your money where your mouth is instead of with tough talk on the net.
I would hope that this could make national news! Tell it like it is!!
Let's call a spade a spade. Our society has allowed the race card to be played too easily today and the judicial system always seems to take the side of the card player! I live in a racially mixed neighborhood and to me we are all PEOPLE! Who cares what color we are, we all have to live together. A criminal is a criminal. Apparently this kid has a record as long as my arm! I suppose that this is someone elses fault too right? Let's see, I would rather be lazy and try to deal drugs than go out and find a respectable job, any job to support my family. And if this doesn't work out, I can blame someone else for my poor decision making capability! Yea! That's it! It's easier that way. Can't you see that the law, society and the judicial system has ENABLED this type of "easy way out" I give Mr. Polensek a tremendous amount of credit. Tell it like it is.
The councilman has the guts to say it! If mom were on the ball, she would help her son to change his ways instead of trying to get money from the councilman. She's a real looser and that why her son is the way he is with his selling crack.
I think the people in the neighborhood should be mad at the way that park looks. Young children play there and have to look at all of that gang crap. I think as a Councilman he should get the people in the neighborhood to clean up the park to show these gangs if you put up your signs we will take them down. It is time the people fight to get there neighorhoods back. I am sick of hearing "why does my neighorhood look so bad" because you allow it. Have some prime in where you live. Cleveland has alot of beauty let's show it off.
China has a fix for his like. It is a bullet to the head and the family is billed for it. My wife jogged in Beijing 24/7 with no fear of rape or robbery. Human trash is trash. The councilman should have no regrets.
Racist? Gimme a break! He's trying to clean up the neighborhood. We need more people like Mr. Polensek. That kid is a troublemaker and needs to be straightened out. Idiots like Arsenio are taking our our neighborhoods and making them unsafe places to live. Get jobs, make an honest living and GET OFF THE STREETS!
I can't wait to get out of Cleveland because of people like Arsenio.
After reading the controversial letter from the councilman, I would have to said I have mixed feelings about it.
First off, I think that Michael Polensek had a point with the frustration of people continuing to deal drugs in communities across the Cleveland area. But on the other hand, as a councilman, I think he could have written the letter in better taste in a more mature fashion. I know that when people get annoyed, upset, or frustrated, they just want to let whoever is causing those feelings know how they feel, but sometimes that's not always the best way to get across your point.
I'm glad to see someone is starting to step up and try to do something about the problem of drug trafficing. It doesn't matter whether he's black or white or blue or green, Mr.Winston is continually breaking the law and it's getting old. I give Mr.Polensek credit for trying numerous times to help this young man but unfortunately there are people who choose to listen to the advice of others to turn their lives around or they chose to go their own way and learn the hard way. Sadly, that's what it seems like will happen with Mr.Winston.
I think all together both men are at fault. Mr.Polensek could have written the letter in better taste and Mr.Winston could try to change his life around for the better to really contribute something positive to this society.
No one has the right to judge anyone in this situation whether it's the councilman, the alleged drug dealer, or Mr.Winston's mother. We all make mistakes in life or are misguided. The point is to never give up and keep trying to improve.
I live in Virginia ,and I just wanted to say that Cleveland politicians rock! lol. That is one of the greatest letters I have ever read. I wish all of them were like that.
But a word of advise for those of you trying to debate with those that keep claiming "racism" .Let those people keep their mentality ,you know why ? Because they are extremely ignorant and are on the bottom of the food chain . And NO ,I'm not referring to any particular race of people.Besides ,we don't want them to be intelligent ,or else who's going to serve us at the drive-thru ?
Drug dealers will be forever. It is a quick high / way to get rich. The environent will always be there. Try and clean it up, but it wont go away. Look at history. But the public wants to push it to another neighborhood. That's the way it works. Sorry to say, but that's the truth. Adam and Eve told us that the world is not perfect. There are sins all over. If you are strong you can overcome.
Z
The drug dealer is a piece of trash who got his feathers ruffled because he did not like to hear the truth. His mother should be ashamed of her son and not defend his actions or try to throw the blame the councilman's way by playing the race card. Drug dealers are garbage plain and simple and it is about time our local government figures told them so.
Councilman Michael Polensek For President!!!
Polensek Was The Only One THat Had Guts Enough To Say What Everyone Is Thinking.That Mother Does Not Care About Her Son At All. He Is right About What He Said.Those Thugs Are Bringing Their Trash Over To THe West Side And It Is Very Sad.Why Dont The Other People Black And White Come Forward And Admit That Polensek Is Doing The Right Thing?
I would just like to say that we need more guys like Councilman Polensek. People who aren't afraid to step up and treat criminals with the same respect that the criminals show to our community. I can only imagine what Mr. Arsenio and his mom are saying. "Oh dat fool be racist fo' sho' yo." Sorry I hate to break this to you but just because you got arrest and put in your place by a councilman because you where selling crack and you just so happen to be black doesn't mean it was because of the color of your skin but because of the content of your character (sound familiar?). And judging by Arsenio's selling drugs in public playgrounds, guess what? You're character can be labeled "lowlife". I'm so sick of African americans pulling the race card whenever they get arrested for clearly breaking the law. Saying things like "Oh years ago the white man enslaved our ancestors and made them suffer so that means that every white person today is racist because they where racist then and my ancestors suffered". Well then since you guys care so much of your ancestors who where slaves, do me a favor and name one of those ancestors you care so much about, clearly if you cared so much about them you would know at least one of there names. Or even better tell me what tribe those ancestors came from. Oh that's right you guys can't. That's because you really don't care about those ancestors, you're just trying to find any excuse possible to blame someone else for your stupidity. I'm sorry but it's just not fair that if a white man says to a black man "you must be dumber than dirt" It's somehow said to be racist. But if a black man tells a white man "I'm not shaking your hand whitey" it's perfectly fine. He should have called him a cracker redneck too while he was at it. That would have been just fine right? Seriously people need to step up and start pointing fingers at themselves once in a while instead of running and hiding behind a rock and pointing fingers all day.
AMEN!!!! As a law enforcement officer in the area I can't agree more with the comments/letter the councilman made/wrote. I wish I could have hand delivered it for the GOOD COUNCILMAN. But let’s not forget to give "credit where credit is due".....to his mother! WAY TO GO MOM!!! You did a fabulous job of parenting...NOT!!!!
You know they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Why would it not surprise me to find out this little degenerate was giving mom some of the money he made from selling stones. That's why she is so upset! If her "lil solgia, can't post up at da stow and play street pharmacist" she won't be able to pay the rent and then that would just be a tragedy...tear....NOT!!!
Hey Mom! Maybe swallow your pride and accept the fact that you have a son who is destined for Marion correctional facility, or as the GOOD COUNCILMAN stated "The cemetery". In closing the little criminal, degenerates in society are never held accountable for the disrespectful comments and actions towards police and anyone involved in law enforcement. But a councilman is criticized for speaking "The truth".
I say if this little criminal wants to be a thug/solgia, ....then send him to Iraq and make him stand a post or walk a dirt road and put his life on the line, just like the thousands of U.S. military men and women are doing right this very minute.
This woman and her son are a disgrace to those who have given their lives to ensure we have freedom to do as we choose...and it’s unfortunate that this young man CHOOSES to disrespect those freedoms.
I feel bad that the Councilman might have hurt the wittle fellows feelings. Councilman Polensek's letter had to ruin the poor, hard working, upstanding little guy's day.
ALL CHEERS GO OUT TO THE COUNCILMAN MR POLENSEK.I THINK IT'S SO SAD THAT INNOCENT CHILDREN ARE BEING PULLED INTO THIS DRUG GAME, IVE BEEN APPROCHED MANY TIMES BY YOUNG TEENS WANTING TO SELL ME DRUGS.
WERE ARE THE PARENTS AND WHY CANT THEY KEEP THERE CHILDREN SAFE? IT TAKES A BIG MAN TO STEP UP AND TELL THE TRUTH, I WISH WE HAD MORE JUST LIKE HIM.
The letter was not racist. As one comment said, if you did not know the race of either individual involved there is nothing that would lead to it being 'racist'. In regards to the cemetary comments, the councilman clearly says that if this individual carries on in this manner he will wind up dead becasue of his criminla activities. There was no threat there at all, just plain speculation as to what would happen to this person because of his choices and activities he engages in. When race is brought into these issues and is unwarranted it only erodes the progress that has been made. ALL people need to start realizing that each person has to be accountable for their actions and the CHOICES they make are not forced on them, no matter how impoverished or wealthy. They are after all CHOICES.
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